C.—B.

10

CHAPTER TIL—THE STATE FORESTS. 1. CONSTITUTION OF STATE FORESTS. Summary of Area under Control. At the close of the year the aggregate area of State forests under control (including provisional State forests and forest reserves) was 7,553,690 acres. A net increase is shown of 68,100 acres as compared with the previous year's total when allowance is made for an area of 2,548 acres which was withdrawn from reservation and utilized principally for settlement purposes. The area now dedicated to forestry forms 114 per cent of the total area of the Dominion (since the year 1919 this ratio has been increased by 5-2 per cent.). The acquisition of approximately 40,000 acres of additional land for forestation purposes was on the point of completion at the close of the period under review : this area is, therefore, not included in this year's figures. Further statistical detailed information relating to the areas under forest-control may be found in Appendix I of this report.

Kaurt (Agathis australis), North Auckland.

Legislation. The Forests Act, 1921-22, which made provision for the management and protection of forests, was found inadequate to deal effectively with certain administrative and protective situations which arose since its enactment. Further statutory authority was therefore required, and certain measures were submitted to Parliament, with the result that the Forests Amendment Act, 1925, was made law. Provisions safeguarding forests from fire were extended by making any person convicted of lighting a fire within 20 chains of a State forest, if any produce was thereby burnt, liable to imprisonment for three months or a fine of £50 (previously this distance was only 50 yards) ; by enabling private lands to be declared a fire district in certain cases ; and by ensuring the validity of the constitution of a fire district or the declaration of a close season when written notice of the constitution of such fire district, &c., had not been served on each landowner interested within the area. Exchanges of parts of State forests for parts of adjoining private lands in cases where the common boundaries are unsatisfactory may now be effected without the special legislation previously required in each case. Other sections deal with trespass of cattle in State forests, charges to be paid for services rendered by forest officers, leases of forest land for grazing purposes, the authority of Wardens in certain cases, and the amendment or repeal of certain sections in the principal Act.